SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- U.S. Air Forces Central continued their medical security cooperation with Jordanian Royal Medical Services during a virtual conference held in September.
The AFCENT Office of the Command Surgeon has been working with medical experts from Uniformed Services University over the last two years to advise the Jordanians on how to develop a country-wide trauma system and help prepare one of their military hospitals for an American College of Surgeons Level 1 Trauma Verification.
The ACS Committee on Trauma verifies a hospital by ensuring it has the necessary resources for delivering optimal trauma care, using the book “Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient” as a guide.
“A verification of partner nations’ trauma capabilities by an American association like the ACS could lead to future medical interoperability,” said Maj. Charles McMichael, AFCENT international health specialist. “In addition, the efforts that this process requires promote the nation’s ability to successfully respond to natural disasters or contingencies.”
Typically, the medical security cooperation features visits to and from Jordan, but with COVID-19 travel restrictions in place, a virtual meeting was necessary to keep the project on track. The goal is to have Jordan’s King Hussein Medical Center verified as an ACS Level 1 Trauma Center by Fall 2021.
Over the course of the four-day conference, more than 40 RMS and DOD personnel were able to log in to share best practices and lessons learned.
“Although there is no replacement for person-to-person interaction, conducting this engagement virtually allowed us to garner a list of presenters that would likely not have the availability to travel into the theater at the same time,” McMichael said.
Team Leader and Director for Global Trauma Assessment and Development at USU Col. Debra Malone, said the virtual conference was just as efficient as their previous meetings due to the dedication on both sides of the partnership.
“The sessions were truly didactic with information and questions going back and forth. It was as if we were sitting side-by-side,” Malone said. “I am very proud of our teammates who went all out to provide the best possible experience for our Jordanian colleagues. Our Jordanian colleagues went all out too.”
With a network of more than 20 medical facilities throughout the country, the RMS treats approximately 40 percent of the Jordanian population.
“The overall project is going extremely well and is well ahead of the time line for completion because our Jordanian colleagues are working very hard,” Malone said. “They are beautiful people, extraordinary clinicians and program developers, who truly love their country and the people who live there. Our team members are moved emotionally and very impressed with them. We are so honored to be a part of this journey.”